Upper Batley High School is celebrating after officially becoming part of the Rotary Club movement by launching the Interact Club.

The ceremony was attended by parents, the Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Kirklees and MP Jo Cox, who watched as each member of the club received a membership card and badge.

Headteacher Ms Sam Vickers said: “The Interact Group has created a whole new exciting opportunity for our learners with regard to their charity work. This joint venture with the Rotary Club has provided our boys with a wealth of social and professional learning experiences such as how to host their own meeting, developing their inter and intra personal skills, liaising with high profile local and national dignities, public speaking, speech writing and delivery, event planning, charity fundraising and the list goes on and on.

“As headteacher, I felt incredibly proud of our men with how confidently and articulately they spoke and with the sense of purpose and passion they have for this work. Two members of our expert staff team, Jeanette Dent and Debra Clyne, launched this project with our boys and established the link with the Rotary Club.

“The Interact Group has been going from strength to strength since then. We are incredibly fortunate as a school to have such a plethora of talent amongst our young men. They make us proud each and every day.”

MP Jo Cox said: “Education is vital for creating and improving people’s life chances and Upper Batley High is doing excellent work raising its students’ aspirations and equipping them with the skills and drive to work for the future they deserve. There is a wonderful buzz around this school, their results are getting better and better and the young men here are clearly being well served by a school that values them and is doing all it can to prepare them for the world beyond the classroom.”